WarwickOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Shawomet to Warwick: A Colony's Birth and Struggle

Warwick, Rhode Island, began in 1642 when Samuel Gorton and his followers bought land from Narragansett Indian Chief Sachem Miantonomi. This first settlement, named Shawomet, included what are now Coventry and West Warwick. Gorton, who advocated for religious freedom, faced opposition from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which disputed his land ownership. To secure their independence, Gorton traveled to England in 1644. In 1648, Robert Rich, the 2nd Earl of Warwick, granted him a charter. In recognition, the settlers renamed their community Warwick and adopted the Earl's family coat of arms. Despite the charter, land disputes with Massachusetts Bay Colony continued for another three decades.

A Spark of Revolution and Industrial Growth

Pawtuxet Village, one of New England's older communities, was established in 1638 at the mouth of the Pawtuxet River, before Warwick's official founding. This location, with its harbor and water power, became a center for maritime trade and shipbuilding. In 1772, Warwick was the site of a pre-Revolutionary act: the burning of the HMS Gaspee. Local patriots boarded and set fire to the British revenue cutter, which had run aground in the Providence River while pursuing a suspected smuggler. This event, where the first English blood of the American Revolution was spilled, led to the formation of Committees of Correspondence across the colonies, preparing for the First Continental Congress.

The 19th century brought industrial growth to Warwick, particularly in textile manufacturing, powered by the Pawtuxet River. The city's coastline also attracted wealthy residents, making it a summer destination before the Great Depression and the 1938 hurricane. Warwick officially became a city in 1931.

• —Pawtuxet Village Historic District — This area, shared between Warwick and Cranston, shows colonial and Federal-era architecture. It contains preserved 18th-century homes with clapboard siding and original cobblestone paths.
• —Pawtuxet River Bridge — This bridge connects the Warwick and Cranston sides of Pawtuxet Village. The current bridge was built in the late 1800s and widened in the 1930s. The first bridge at this site dates to 1711.
• —St. Mary's Episcopal Church — This church is a landmark within Pawtuxet Village. Its exterior shows the religious heritage of the area.
• —G.A.R. Hall (Grand Army of the Republic Hall) — This building connects to Warwick's past and the Civil War. Its exterior shows architectural styles and civic life of the late 19th century.
• —Pawtuxet Cove — Also known as Fiddlers Rest, this harbor was important to the village's early development as a seaport. You can observe the waters and the protective Pawtuxet Neck.
• —Rocky Point State Park — This 124-acre state park was an amusement park. It now offers hiking and biking trails, open fields, and a public fishing pier with views of Narragansett Bay.

For warm-weather activities, visit Warwick from mid-June to late September. In July, the average high temperature is around 82°F (28°C), suitable for exploring the coastline and outdoor areas. May and August also have comfortable weather with mild temperatures and low humidity. Fall brings comfortable climates and fewer crowds, good for sightseeing and fall foliage. Winters, from December to March, are cold, with average daily highs below 46°F (8°C) and lows around 24°F (-4°C) in January. This period is generally not recommended for outdoor exploration.

Warwick is served by Theodore Francis Green State Airport (PVD), Rhode Island's largest commercial airport, located in the Hillsgrove section. The airport has an MBTA Commuter Rail station, with service to Providence and Boston South Station. While RIPTA operates about a dozen bus routes, Warwick has a "Car-Dependent" Walk Score of 35, meaning most errands require a car. Parking in commercial areas often has a two-hour limit; check posted signs. Overnight street parking is not automatically permitted; check local announcements for specific restrictions. When parking, face the direction of traffic flow with passenger-side tires to the curb, and maintain a 15-foot clearance from fire hydrants.